'Red Dead Online' Release Date Confirmed And Latest Details -UPDATED

Many gamers are still plowing their way through the enormous single-player story adventure in Red Dead Redemption 2, but the second piece of Rockstar's old west puzzle is still on its way.

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 05: In this photo illustration a gamer plays the video game 'Red Dead Redemption 2' (RDR 2) on November 5, 2018, in Paris, France. Red Dead Redemption 2, typographed Red Dead Redemption II is an action-adventure and multi-platform western video game developed by Rockstar Studios and published by Rockstar Games released on October 26, 2018. The new hit game from the US video game publisher has generated more than 725 million dollars in sales in three days and has achieved the second best launch in the history of video games. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images) photo credit: Getty ImagesGetty

Red Dead Redemption 2 Online has the potential to take over your gaming life like Grand Theft Auto 5, but when will it be released? Here are some of the details we know about the expansion thus far:

UPDATED

Release Date

RDO is set to begin its rollout on November 27. Here are the details of access:

Tuesday, November 27th: All Red Dead Redemption 2: Ultimate Edition owners. Please note, players who purchased the physical Ultimate Edition must redeem the Ultimate Edition code in the packaging to be eligible.

Wednesday, November 28th: All players who played Red Dead Redemption 2 on October 26th according to our data.

Thursday, November 29th: All players who played Red Dead Redemption 2 between October 26th to October 29th according to our data.

Friday, November 30th: All players who own Red Dead Redemption 2.

END OF UPDATE

According to Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of Take-Two Interactive, the company that publishes RDR2, the online beta is set to release in late November. Nothing more specific has been mentioned, but it seems safe to assume that will be the final week of the month.

As of the initial publication of this article, it's already November 14. With Thanksgiving coming next week, it doesn't seem likely we'd see such a huge release come during one of the year's biggest holiday weeks. I'll update this post once a release date is made final.

Will it Be Free?

RDR 2 Online isn't a separate game. It'll be available for free via download to anyone who has purchased the game.

What Will the Gameplay Be Like?

Rockstar has not shied away from likening RDR 2 Online to GTA 5.

“We’ve tried to take the best elements and best content packs from Grand Theft Auto Online and use them for templates for what we are making here," said Rockstar Senior Producer Josh Needleman per IGN. "We feel Grand Theft Auto Online really only found its feet creatively with Heists.”

“That pack, along with After Hours, The Doomsday Heist, Gun Running and a few others represent the best of Grand Theft Auto Online, and provided the template for what we wanted to use here, (not in terms of content, obviously, but how they combined narrative, gameplay, modes, and other content into a cohesive thematic whole) alongside all of the elements we liked from the old Red Dead Redemption multiplayer.”

Creating characters, going solo or with friends will be among the options available to fans who take on the RDR 2 Online journey.

Male and Female Characters?

Gamers will be able to create male and female characters for their journey. As soon as the first images surface, I'll be sure to cover those extensively. The character design apart from the Arthur Morgans and John Marstons will be interesting to see.

Changes:

Changed verbiage in the section above. While some online games like NBA 2K19, MLB the Show and a few others don't allow complete customization of male and female characters. The more prominent games give users that option.